Performers of the Week: Eric Martsolf and Stacy Haiduk

 

Performers of the Week

Every week we choose who we award this to as a group. Everyone has their own picks for it and then we confer and decide at the end of the week. This week I had my first pick at about 6:15 am on Monday morning and as great as so many others were across daytime this week, these two never left my mind as my first choice. I am talking, of course, about Eric Martsolf (Brady Black)) and Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera) from Days of Our Lives. These two are always solid actors and dynamic in their scenes, together or with others but this week they elevated the already high bar they had previously set in their scenes together.

Days fans know Brady and Kristen’s long and tumultuous history and there are strong opinions both for and against a romantic pairing for them but one thing we all agree on is that they are fire in scenes together, whether loving or fighting, and there is no middle ground when it comes to these two. Their pairing personifies ‘Love is a battlefield’. This week their latest battle over daughter Rachel (Finley Rose Slater) came to a head and saw a role reversal of sorts with Brady being the violent aggressor and Kristen being uncharacteristically scared of him.

Brady thought Kristen had kidnapped their daughter even though she had actually just run away from camp in a desire to see her mother. Kristen decided to use it as an opportunity to revisit their custody arrangement so that she could see their daughter and demanded joint custody in exchange for revealing Rachel’s whereabouts. Brady reluctantly agreed and brought the papers to Kristen but then changed his mind and ripped them up instead of signing. Kristen was outraged and raged at him until he pulled a gun and told her that he was calling the shots.

Kristen feigned nonchalance but that quickly ended when Brady had her bent backward over a chair with the barrel of a gun pressing into her stomach as he demanded to know where their child was. Rachel running into the room and yelling at him to leave her mother alone set Brady back on his heels and he tried to calm her down but finally carried her out of there, crying and reaching for her mother. Kristen begged him not to leave and her sobs as he did were heartwrenching. You almost forgot that she is a true bad guy. In that moment she was just a mother aching for her child.

Brady and Kristen both love their child deeply and have had a decades-long push/pull between them. Even when he was threatening to kill her with that gun would anyone have been surprised if had ended with a kiss? That is their dynamic and it is a joy to watch as a soap opera viewer. Their relationship is part of what great soaps are made of and their portrayers deliver that and more for the viewers over and over and over again. This week they delivered in spades and that is why were are naming Eric Martsolf and Stacey Haiduk our Performers of the Week! Congratulations to you both and we can’t wait to see what happens next with Brady and Kristen!

Days of Our Lives

It was a fun week in Salem! Lani found herself in danger when she confronted that crazy nurse Whitley and tried to rescue Abe. Things got even worse when Whitley drugged her and Rafe and Jada discovered her lifeless body on the docks. Marlena realized that Whitley was a patient of hers when she was possessed and she shared this information with Kayla. John and Steve did some digging and confronted Jerry who confirmed that Abe is alive. Brady pulled a gun on Kristen and demanded she reveal where their daughter is. Gabi pulled a gun on Li and made sure to lay down the law. EJ and Stefan called a truce and wanted to oust Dimitri from the mansion. A guilty Leo returned home to Gwen after bedding Dimitri. Alex interrupted Chad and Stephanie. Bonnie almost revealed Sarah’s pregnancy secret to Maggie. Kate revealed to Paulina that Philip is alive. Eric and Sloan learned that they are having a baby. Li and Melinda went on a blind date that didn’t end well. 

General Hospital

Like Salem, Port Charles was filled with drama. Sam played mediator between her sisters who finally had a much-needed talk. Curtis learned that he was paralyzed once he woke up. Sonny gave Dex a new assignment. Carly paid Drew a visit. Nina and Sonny rushed to the hospital once they heard about Sasha who stabbed Cody after hallucinating. Sasha was later sent to Ferncliff. Esme went to Pentonville to see Heather because she wanted her questions to be answered. Lucy and Felicia almost got arrested once Jackson caught on to their tricks but Anna saved the day. “Eddie” and Leo bonded over sea life and music. Brook Lynn and Chase said I love you to each other. Portia interrogated Spencer. Taggert checked on Trina. Dante forced Anna to let him and her work together. 

The Bold and the Beautiful

Well, Hope finally made a decision and this time it was to walk away from Liam. She had divorce papers signed up and after her mother found her in bed with the “bad boy”, she and Liam put ink to paper and dissolved their marriage. Wyatt confronted Hope to find out what was going on with her and Thomas. Finn paid Sheila a visit in prison and they shared a very tender moment. Liam and Steffy talked at Il Giardino the very same place where Brooke and Eric later had a breakfast meeting. They along with Deacon discussed Sheila who was on trial. At the hearing, Sheila was released as the judge noted that the evidence presented had no legal footing. Liam witnessed Finn and Sheila being close. 

The Young and the Restless

Phyllis returned to the land of the living. She and Diane connected and called a truce despite Tucker wanting them to have a catfight. Ashley tried to get information from Billy. Nick, Adam and Sharon decided to work together and met with Victor to hash out the details. Summer learned the awful truth about Kyle and Audra. She and Audra exchanged some insults about it. Christine and Phyllis sparred. Sharon and Chase made love at Crimson Lights. Chelsea and Summer met to talk about her new job at Marchetti. Lily supported Daniel who needed someone to talk to. 

Honorary Mentions

This week, we had a ton of superb performances! Sofia Mattsson, as Sasha Gilmore on General Hospital, broke our hearts watching her character go through an emotional rollercoaster yet again as Gladys and Dr. Montague teamed up to drug her. Then we had Victoria Grace, who gave us a sweet performance as she confronted her brother Li about his wrongdoings. We also had Jane Elliot tugging our hearts out with her performance as Tracy pleaded with “Eddie” and Easton Rocket Sweda as Leo faced the man he calls dad. And, once again, we got bone-chilling performances from Scott Clifton as Liam and Annika Noelle as Hope in their divorce signing scene on The Bold and the Beautiful. Congrats to all on getting honorary mentions this week!

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